Interfaith Assistance Ministry

10/23/2026

Bearfootin’ is more than a colorful art walk. In the words of Downtown Hendersonville, NC, “It’s a community tradition that brings together local artists, businesses, residents, and visitors to support the organizations that make Hendersonville the place we all love.” This sentiment continues to resonate with us year after year, and this year’s auction raised $145,700 for local nonprofits, the most in its history. 💙

Across the auction, 80 bidders placed 327 bids, and our bear, Remem-bear Me, found a home on the very first day. It meant a great deal to see this community rally around the organizations that care for their neighbors, and that support helps us keep our doors open for the people who need us.

Thank you to the entire community, to every bidder, artist, sponsor, and volunteer who made this possible. Thank you to United Community Bank for sponsoring our bear, to Anthony Acosta for the care and love he put into creating it, and to Friends of Downtown Hendersonville for bringing it all together year after year. We are deeply grateful for each of you. 🐻

10/22/2026

A reminder that the Bearfootin’ Auction celebration takes place today. 🐻

The community is invited to join us at the Historic Courthouse Plaza in downtown Hendersonville from 4 to 6 p.m. to view the bears, celebrate the artists, and take part in an event that gives back to our community.

Bidding remains open and will close at 6 p.m. today. Starting bids are $1,500, and registration on the auction website is required before placing a bid. Attendance at the celebration is not required to win. The link to the auction is available in the comments.

Every bear in this auction benefits a local nonprofit in Henderson County. We are grateful to Friends of Downtown Hendersonville for hosting this event and to everyone who has participated. 💙

10/21/2026

🏡 Sometimes, a little help at the right moment can make all the difference.
Behind every gift to Building Hope: Keep Neighbors in Their Homes is an opportunity to help a neighbor facing a difficult financial situation remain safely housed. 💛

An unexpected expense, reduced work hours, or a temporary setback can leave a household struggling to make rent or mortgage payments. Timely assistance can help prevent that financial crisis from becoming a housing crisis.

This year alone, IAM has helped more than 260 households with rent and mortgage assistance. Every household has its own circumstances, but the goal remains the same: helping our neighbors maintain the stability of home.
And right now, your generosity can go twice as far!

Thanks again to Trinity Presbyterian Church's generous $10,000 matching gift, every eligible contribution to Building Hope is matched dollar for dollar.

💛 We've raised $5,317.50 toward our $10,000 community goal!

That means we're more than halfway there, with $4,682.50 remaining to unlock the full match.
With just 10 days remaining, we're asking our community to help us finish what we've started.
Whether you give $10, $25, $50, or another amount meaningful to you, every gift helps us move closer to providing $20,000 in housing assistance for local neighbors.

Learn more and give today:
iam-hc.org/building-hope
The Matching Challenge ends October 31.

10/20/2026

🍎 Our Mobile Pantry is at First United Methodist Church tomorrow and we would love to see you there! Stop by and pick up fresh produce, pantry staples, and more for your family. 💙

🍎 ¡Nuestro Mercado Móvil estará mañana en First United Methodist Church y nos encantaría verte! Pasa y llévate frutas, verduras, alimentos y más para tu familia. 💙

📅 Tomorrow, October 21st | Mañana, 21 de octubre
⏰ 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 First United Methodist Church - 204 6th Ave W, Hendersonville, NC

10/19/2026

Our annual Winter Coat Drive starts today! 🧥 We are collecting new and gently used coats for neighbors in need now through January 29th. A warm coat means more than staying comfortable in the cold. It is being able to face whatever the day brings without one more thing to worry about. If you have a coat to spare, bring it in. Every single one makes a difference. 💙

Donations accepted Monday through Friday 9 am to 3 pm at 310 Freeman St. Please note we can only accept coats that are washable and not dry-clean only. Thank you!

10/19/2026

There is still time to be part of Hendersonville’s Bearfootin’ Art Walk & Auction! 🐻 Bidding closes this Thursday, October 22nd and there are still some incredible bears looking for a home.

Each bear was designed by a local artist, sponsored by a local business or individual, and benefits a local nonprofit right here in Henderson County. This is not just an auction. It is a community coming together to invest in itself, in the organizations, the people, and the neighbors that make Henderson County what it is.

All bidding is virtual and open to everyone. Once bidding closes on October 22nd, the community is invited to join the in person Auction Countdown Celebration at Historic Courthouse Square in Downtown Hendersonville. Visit the link to view all the remaining bears and place your bid before time runs out. 💙

https://www.accelevents.com/e/bearauction26?
utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demo0eeab9z5&fbclid=IwY2xjawVC5lJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMU5DUEMzbnplRVhPaTZpUFhzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeIqvDcR23-idGAte6jGhfOXkrv28NCM7G_QrCfGYGBnyxb9hvc1-7oItbtR0_aem_KiHRo3_vTUwT2KKh0Hha5w

Bidding Opens October 8 at 10amWhat You Need to Know About the 2026 Bearfootin' Bear Auction:1. All bidding will occur virtually via this website. There will be no in-person bidding. Bidding ends at 6pm EST on October 22, 2026. All bidders will have the opportunity to outbid AFTER the auction ends a...

10/14/2026

Our annual Winter Coat Drive is just around the corner. 💙

Starting next week on October 19th and running through January 29th, we will be collecting coats for our neighbors in need. A warm coat means more than staying comfortable in the cold. It is being able to get to work, drop the kids off at school, and face whatever the day brings without one more thing to worry about. For a neighbor going through a hard season, that matters more than you know.

More details coming soon. 🙏

10/13/2026

At IAM we are surrounded by people who show up not because they have to but because they want to. We make it a point to regularly celebrate the ones who make this place what it is.

Today that is Gloria. 💙

Gloria has been part of the IAM Thrift Store family since before the doors even opened. She helped sort donations, price items, and had a real hand in getting the store ready for this community.

Today she still shows up three days a week, every week, bringing her positive attitude, energy, and willingness to make a difference One person can make a bigger difference than people realize. Gloria is proof of that. Thank you for everything you do. We are so grateful for you. 🙏

10/12/2026

When a family in Henderson County is facing a housing crisis, the difference between staying in their home and losing it can come down to one month of help. That is exactly what Building Hope is designed to provide.

Trinity Presbyterian Church of Hendersonville believed in that mission enough to put $10,000 behind it as a challenge grant, matching every dollar donated to Building Hope. The challenge is still open through the end of October and we are asking our community for one final push.

If you are able to contribute, please do. Every dollar goes directly to housing assistance for neighbors in crisis right here in Henderson County.

Visit iam-hc.org/building-hope. 🙏

Thanks to a generous gift from Trinity Presbyterian Church, IAM has $10,000 in challenge grant seed money to launch Building Hope. A new campaign focused on housing stability for our neighbors.Every dollar our community gives will be matched, up to $10,000, turning your gift into $20,000 of total im...